A physiotherapist, who features on a new S4C series, is helping cut the workload of GPs by bringing her skills to the doorstep of the Blaenau Ffestiniog community.

Advanced physiotherapy practitioner, Amy Williams, who works at Canolfan Goffa Ffestiniog, was part of a pilot project that started in 2015 to treat patients with musculoskeletal (MSK) problems in their own GP surgeries.

MSK disorders are one of the most common reasons for repeated GP consultations.

These relate to bone, joint and muscle pain.

Advance physiotherapist practitioners become the first point of contact at the GP surgery to see and treat patients with joint conditions, such as back and neck pain, as an alternative to seeing their GP. 

 

They are able to make decisions about the correct course of action/treatment for the patient.

They can prescribe medication, refer for blood tests and x-rays, and can follow up results and treat the patients directly.

Amy said: “We have received great feedback from the patients in Blaenau Ffestiniog regarding this service.  

“We can assess and diagnose patients and also refer them on for further investigations as well prescribing pain relieving medication.

“This is saving GP appointments and managing the patient’s pathway better. 

“Physiotherapists working in primary care are really benefitting patients with MSK problems, they are being seen earlier and it is also reducing orthopaedic referrals.”

Amy is one of several members of staff from Canolfan Goffa Ffestiniog to feature in the new fly-on-the-wall series, Helo Syrjeri, which gives the viewer a glimpse of the busy everyday lives of the GPs, the staff and patients, and what brings them together in the tight-knit community of Blaenau Ffestiniog and the surrounding area.

Amy added: “It’s been great to be part of a new television series focusing on Canolfan Goffa Ffestiniog.  

“There really is an excellent service here in Blaenau Ffestiniog, especially now we have the new health centre.

“There are excellent doctors here and a number of different services so it has really improved communication with other health professionals with everyone being under one roof.”